Fight On Plane Forces Emergency Landing Of Detroit-Bound Spirit Airlines Flight

A Detroit-bound Spirit Airlines flight was forced to make a landing in Des Moines, Iowa after a passenger brawl was reported. A few people were involved in a fight following one person’s complaint that his fellow fliers were “too noisy” for him to get any sleep.

NY Post reported that Flight 709 touched down in Iowa on Thursday to seek treatment for the badly-beaten passenger. A passenger onboard, a woman, said that she was “in shock” following the fight. She could hardly believe that it was happening, especially when she had her kids with her. Passengers on the flight called for attendants to break up the fight.

Once the flight landed in Des Moines, the brawlers were able to change out of their bloody clothes, according to the report. They managed to change in time before the marshals arrived, making a quick stop in the bathroom to remove their bloody clothes. Those involved in the flight had to move quick to avoid being recognized by the marshals, the report said.

Investigation led by Des Moines police Sgt. Paul Parizek said that the victim of the assault initiated the dispute on account of the noise. Daily Mail UK added that the victim also accosted a flight attendant, aside from those involved in the brawl.

He further explained that no arrests occurred because the incident took place over Nebraska, where the DPMD had no jurisdiction. The most they could do—at the cabin crew’s request—was to escort one passenger off the plane. Afterwards, the plane continued to Detroit, and the passenger was free to go.

A Spirit Airlines spokesperson told BuzzFeed News in a statement that the company was “shocked and saddened” to hear about the brawl.

In 2016, USA Today reported that five women reportedly got involved in a brawl. It happened because some of the women started playing loud music without headphones immediately after the plane landed.

According to Buzz Feed, another brawl erupted at a Florida airport in 2017. Apparently, Spirit Airlines canceled 81 flights in just a day, prompting already irate passengers to take matters into their own hands and demand refunds for their tickets.